Field Trip Information

Field Trip Registration

Teachers may call the Planting Fields Education Department any time during the year to reserve the date(s) that they would like to visit the Arboretum. Dates are awarded on a first come, first serve basis and teachers are encouraged to reserve early to ensure preferred date availability.

Planting Fields can accommodate up to two classes of students per session, Monday through Friday. Schools registering can choose one or more of our four, 1hour and 30 minute sessions.

Field trips can be scheduled by calling our Field Trip Coordinator Antigone Zaharakis: 516-922-8668 or by sending an e-mail to education@plantingfields.org

Cost and Payment

The fee for all scheduled field trips is $7.00 per student.
* Program registration of less than 20 children will result in a flat fee of $140.00 being due. *
Payment for the field trip is due on the day of your visit to Planting Fields Arboretum and is presented to an Education Staff Member at the culmination of the field trip.
Payment is accepted in the form of cash or checks. Checks must be made payable to: Planting Fields Foundation
Teachers and chaperones assist with both field trip facilitation and children supervision and are therefore admitted free of charge.
* There is a maximum of four adults (including teacher) allowed to accompany each class.*
Due to space constraints within the greenhouse and other areas of the field trip, we ask parents to make alternate arrangements for younger siblings to be left at home. Adults are expected to participate, to stay with the class, and to turn off cell phones once the program has begun.

Pre and Post Visit Activities

Teachers can request to be emailed a pre-visit package that will introduce concepts that will be covered at Planting Fields during the field trip. A post-activity package is also available to support and reinforce the understanding of concepts covered.
At the end of the field trip visit, each teacher is presented with a Field Trip Evaluation, offering teachers the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings about their trip. Comments from the returned evaluations let us know where we have succeeded in our program presentation and assist us in program improvement.

Inclement Weather:
The Cancellation or Rescheduling of Your Field Trip

The majority of field trip activities are outside; therefore, if there is inclement weather (or the threat of) on the day of your scheduled field trip, you will be contacted by the Field Trip Coordinator before you leave your school that morning. At that point you may choose to either cancel your visit or to reschedule. If you choose to reschedule, every attempt will be made by the Education Department to identify a new date that accommodates your schedule.

Program Accessibility

Parts of the arboretum are accessible to groups with special needs. The Education Department asks that you make them aware of any students with special needs so that your group may be accommodated in the best possible manner.

Lunch and Snack During a Field Trip

An area in the heart of the arboretum center (and near the bathroom facilities) has been designated for use by school groups for the consumption of lunch or snack. It is the choice of each school group to decide if they wish to eat while surrounded by the beautiful natural environment. If your group wishes to bring a lunch or snack, please let the Education Department know at time of registration so that time before and after your trip can be allocated.